What Happened on April 27?

April 27 is Tell a Story Day — a perfect time to share tales aloud. On this date in 1892 John Muir helped found the Sierra Club, and in 1994 South Africans of all races voted together for the first time.

• 1521 — Ferdinand Magellan is killed in the Philippines

  On April 27, 1521, explorer Ferdinand Magellan died in a battle on Mactan Island during the first expedition to sail around the world. Read the full story →

• 1810 — Beethoven composes the bagatelle later known as 'Für Elise'

  Around April 27, 1810, Ludwig van Beethoven wrote a short piano piece he titled 'Bagatelle in A minor' — published decades later as the beloved 'Für Elise.' Read the full story →

• 1865 — The steamboat Sultana explodes on the Mississippi River

  On April 27, 1865, the overloaded steamboat Sultana exploded near Memphis — America's deadliest maritime disaster, killing an estimated 1,800 people. Read the full story →

• 1892 — John Muir and allies found the Sierra Club in San Francisco

  On April 27, 1892, naturalist John Muir and friends formed the Sierra Club to protect California's mountains, forests, and wild places. Read the full story →

• 1967 — Expo 67 opens in Montreal, Canada

  On April 27, 1967, Montreal's World's Fair opened with the theme 'Man and His World' — drawing fifty million visitors to futuristic pavilions. Read the full story →

Famous birthdays

Ulysses S. Grant (1822–1885) · Sheena Easton (1959) · Jack Klugman (1922–2012) · Coretta Scott King (1927–2006)

Days & observances

Tell a Story Day · Freedom Day (South Africa) · Morse Code Day · National Babe Ruth Day